Video from Brother Rob

This came in response to my previous post that I might not vote!

Tim and Josie go to the Big Island

My cousin Tim and his wife Josie are on the Big Island this week celebrating their 19th anniversary. They came to the shop yesterday and we visited a bit, then in the evening we drove up to Kawaihae and had dinner at the Blue Dragon. The Olliephonics, an olde style Big Band was playing, Joe Mackee was the designated crooner. (Joe's sister is a local painter and a former Playboy Playmate). A good time was had by all.

Tao de Ching, Chapter 11

We join spokes together in a wheel,
but it is the center hole
that makes the wagon move.

We shape clay into a pot,
but it is the emptiness inside
that holds whatever we want.

We hammer wood for a house,
but it is the inner space
that makes it livable.

We work with being,
but non-being is what we use.

2008 World Submarine Federation Championships

Start of the Women's Race

Nearly halfway through

Photo Finish!

Amazing Technology

That's Sean Connery in the Pace Sub.

The men's race was not quite so close
(I guess I didn't really need to point that out, eh?).

Ironman Race Day Pictures

A found picture of the start of the race. Looks like fun, eh?

The end of the swim.

I was amazed at how fast these guys moved. Part of the security involves scuba divers beneath the swimmers to ward off sharks attracted by the splashing of athletes.

Following the men's leaders. The motorcycle had to hit the brakes hard to make the turn, they must have been doing at least 40, before the corner.

One's, a pro, one's an amateur. The pro came in seven minutes quicker after nine hours of racing. I was impressed and awed by how fast the pros go on their bikes. I could relate to the speed of the amateurs, but these guys were so much faster it was mind-boggling.

This is Sergio Marques. More on him later.

This is Gina Ferguson, from New Zealand. She was one of the stories that the media was following because she plays First Violin with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. She finished 8th in the Women's Pro Division, 9:36.

Sergio, again. He came down the hill and around the corner and flatted. After he replaced the tube, he blew out the new one while inflating. He threw a bit of tantrum and had to wait nearly 10 minutes for the tech crew to come along and give him a new tire. He still finished half way through his division.

Amazing Technology

There's no special category for this guy, he has to compete with those with two legs.

Halfway through the last event, the 26.2 mile marathon.

Hans Koeppen, winner of the PC category (Physically Challenged).

I was surprised to see chicken broth and rolls to hand out.

Chrissie Wellington, the winner of the women's pro division. She won $70,000.00! This is one race where they don't award a smaller sum to the women's winner.

Grit. This is Zbynek Svehla, a financial adviser from the Czech Republic. He was a Triathlete in his previous life, crashed and broke his back. Now he's back for his first Ironman as a parapalegic. He finished in 13 hours, not nearly the last person in.

Julian Wain, halfway through the marathon.

Lots of action.

Official Ironman Website

Ironman World Championship: The Day Before

Every year in October the Ironman World Championship race is held in Kona. The race involves 1800 participants that swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a regular 26.2 mile marathon, all on the same day. There are several classes of professionals--they're the only ones that'll be paid--and several age group classes for the amateurs. The race entrants are from all over the world and most bring their families and supporters.

During the week before the race, Ali'i Drive shuts down to allow for setup of the facilities, and for booths that show new wares. The roads clog up with traffic due to the shut down of the major artery, and the addition on the roads of training athletes.

The race brings some benefit to the community. For a week at least, all occupancy rates are at or above 100%. The grocery stores do a brisk business, as does the brewery, and some restaurants. I'm not sure the benefit is worth the hassle though. The bike riders often ride three or four abreast, right in the middle of a lane, blocking traffic and putting pedestrians in jeopardy. I also don't like the prima donna attitudes. The excitement is fun, though. Fun to be around something big for a couple days.



Captions are beneath the pictures.

The swim course.

The last bit of the run to the finish.

Near the end of the race under the banyon tree.

The backside of the finish line. They have constant commentary and music playing.

The start of the 2.4 mile swim.

You just know he's gotta be a famous athlete.

This is a CV-L (Compensatory Vehicle-Large). There are many kinds and sizes of compensatory vehicles. This one drove up and a very small, very studly man hopped out and swaggered away.

Looking back towards the pier where the start/finish line is.

Extra security for the harbor and bay.

Acres of bicycles, over 1800 of them. They wait on the pier for the end of the swim. The white tent in the background is an area to change in if you don't want to wear your wetsuit on the 112 mile bike ride.

Gotsta remember your number so you knows where your bike stay.

Shop Talk and Random Political Thoughts

So, I was talking to a customer, a regular, today. His construction business has tanked and he's working at the hardware store now and doing pick-up work as he can get it. He made the comment that this is the most important election of his life because of the economy. I sounded him out about who he might vote for. He's a republican through and through. I said, "So you don't really believe the president has that much to do with the economy?"

"Hell yes, he does, what are you thinking." Big D responded.
"Then our present economic issues are due to President Bush's policies of the last few years?"
"Well uh...that was the democrats' fault."
"Doesn't it make sense to try someone with some new ideas instead of a clone of the guy that got you into this? And a guy that didn't believe we had a problem at all until it was universally obvious?"

We talked a little about McCain's late admission that, well yes, maybe we DO have an economic problem...But Big D still didn't seem willing to entertain the idea that a non-republican might be the better choice.

I'm interested in this election, too. I've been so sick of politics since working in the education system, that I haven't voted in years. I didn't even vote when I was a superintendent, which is a grave, if not mortal sin. This election has interested me, though, because of Obama. I started out very suspicious, I guess because he's half-white, and he has a funny name. In my research to ascertain the validity (or not) of the emails that were circulating about his muslim/terrorist leanings, I started to like the guy. A few hours on YouTube watching and listening to his speeches and interviews solidified it for me. (I think it was his "Call to Renewal" speech that was the clincher).

Random thoughts:

--Palin is interesting too. I think it's the folksy way she talks my language ("you guys," "ummm,"). The thing is, I don't want someone like me running the country. I want somebody considerably smarter. I like that Obama is from the "elite." I like that he's highly educated and has lived abroad.

--McCain's temper and his inability to control his mouth when he's mad worries me.
--McCain's suspension of his campaign to address the "economic crisis" bothered me as well. Won't the President be called on to address many different problems at once. (Dare I say "multi-task)?

Anyway, I may not vote in this election either for two reasons. First, since Hawaii will be going to the polls just two hours before the east coast polls close, the thing may be moot before we get the chance to have our say. And second, I like being able to say to people that are aghast that I don't exercise the MOST IMPORTANT DUTY OF A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES, that no, I think the most important duty of a citizen of the United States is to do unto others as I would have them do unto me, and to love my neighbor as myself...And that if we all really acted on Jesus' words we wouldn't always be up some ten foot creek without a pole to stand on.

I suppose I could do both though, eh?

Note to self

Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people's approval
and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.